Rodrigo Duterte, leading presidential candidate, have declared in a recent interview that he will sell the BRP Ang Pangulo, the presidential yacht.
Following reports that the total overall costing of the ship’s maintenance is a dashing P400,000/month, Rodrigo Duterte declared his interest in selling the ship as soon as he takes over the Presidential seat.
In the past years, President Cory Aquino tried to sell the ship because she wanted to throw away the proof of the lavish living of the Marcos administration. The ship was in selling price for US$ 5.5 Million but seemingly, it was not sold and the maintenance costs of the ship drastically went up.
In President Estrada’s time, he was able to extensively furnish the ship. It then served as a favourable venue for presidential events and mobile office for the sole use of the President of the Philippines. He commonly uses the ship during trips to several islands of Mindanao.
During conducting repairs in 2006, it caught fire and was brought back to its original state. President Arroyo refurbished and repaired the ship then renamed it to BRP Pag-Asa.
By President Benigno Aquino’s term, the ship was renamed back as BRP Ang Pangulo. He also wanted the Philippine Navy to boost the capabilities of the ship.
This 2016, as the new president takes his seat, he is again wanting to sell the famous ship to the benefits of the war veterans, added hospital improvements and facilities, higher salaries for doctors so as not to make them leave the country for high-paying jobs outside the country.
Since Rodrigo Duterte was still not confirmed as the President, after gaining the highest number of votes in the recent Presidential Elections, there’s still no further move with regards to the selling of BRP Ang Pangulo.
via : philstar/gmanetwork